(1) In order to protect the public interest in the prudent and equitable use of the waters of this state and to enhance the enjoyment of pleasure boating and other recreational water sports on the waters of this state, the department shall establish and pursue comprehensive educational programs designed to advance boating safety.
  (2) The department shall put into effect a program to train boat operators and shall issue a boating safety certificate to those who satisfactorily complete the program. For the purpose of giving the courses of instruction and awarding boating safety certificates, the department may designate as its agent any person it considers qualified to act in this capacity. The department or its agent may offer a video or home study boating safety course. A charge shall not be made for any instruction given or for the award of boating safety certificates by any of the following:

Terms Used In Michigan Laws 324.80211

  • Boating safety certificate: means either of the following:
  (i) The document issued by the department under this part that certifies that the individual named in the document has successfully completed a boating safety course and passed an examination approved and administered as required under section 80211. See Michigan Laws 324.80201
  • Boating safety course: means a course that meets both of the following requirements:
  •   (i) Provides instruction on the safe operation of a personal watercraft that meets or exceeds the minimum course content for boating or personal watercraft education established by the national association of state boating law administrators education committee (October 1996). See Michigan Laws 324.80201
  • Department: means the department of natural resources. See Michigan Laws 324.80201
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Person: means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, governmental entity, or other legal entity. See Michigan Laws 324.80201
  • Political subdivision: means a county, metropolitan authority, municipality, or combination of those entities in this state. See Michigan Laws 324.80201
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories belonging to the United States; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the district and territories. See Michigan Laws 8.3o
  • Use: means operate, navigate, or employ. See Michigan Laws 324.80201
  • Waters of this state: means any waters within the territorial limits of this state, and includes those waters of the Great Lakes that are under the jurisdiction of this state. See Michigan Laws 324.80201
  •   (a) The department or another state agency.
      (b) A law enforcement agency of this state or of a political subdivision of this state.